A NORTHWICH soldier shot for cowardice during the First World War has finally had the stain on his character erased after MPs approved an official pardon for more than 300 executed servicemen.

Lance Corporal James Holland, son of Mary and Samuel Holland of Flower Street, was shot at dawn on May 30, 1916, for leaving his post during a heavy bombardment by German artillery.

The tragic 31-year-old, who served with the 10th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, was one of 306 British soldiers shot for cowardice, desertion or other offences during the 1914-1918 war.

It is now recognised that far from being cowards, the soldiers, all but two 'other ranks' and non-commissioned officers, were suffering from shell shock.

Now they have all had their names cleared after MPS backed an amendment inserted into the Armed Forces Act at a meeting of the Commons. The amendment, introduced by the House of Lords, was first announced in August and is intended to remove the dishonour of execution.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall commended the House for supporting the move.

Mr Hall said: 'We are not close to understanding the full effects of shell shock, but soldiers who suffered from it were subjected to summary justice. They were not properly represented and they were not given leave to appeal.

'The morning after their court martial, they were bound, blindfolded and had a marker placed over their heart. They were tied to a stake and shot by 12 members of a firing squad, usually from their own battalion.

'It is fitting, therefore, that the House should do the right thing and remove the stain on their character.'